Gospel – Matthew 25: 14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.

After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

Just as the master entrusted his servants with the various “talents” or assets in his possession, we too are entrusted on a daily basis with the greatest of treasures by God, the hearts and the minds of our students. But how often do we take the time to reflect on this awesome, and awe-inspiring role in which we have been placed. Do we approach each day, each class, each student in a manner where we are willing to fully invest ourselves in increasing their knowledge, character, and personal development three-fold or five-fold? Or do we play it safe, doing the minimum of what is expected, and then perhaps rationalizing that as acceptable, as we have not exposed ourselves to the potential for failure in our mission. But in taking this “safe” path with all that we have been entrusted have we not inherently failed those entrusted into our care, and therefore the God who placed us in this ministry? Often-times we are tired, our students may not be as attentive as we would like, and as a result it can become easy to just do what is expected. But it is in those times in particular, that we must remind ourselves, that it is our role as a teacher, mentor, and “care-taker” to constantly strive to invest in the hearts and minds of my students in order to return that investment many times over. St. La Salle often reminded those called to this ministry, that there is no greater calling than to touch the hearts of those entrusted to our care. If that is true, then just as the master entrusted his gifts into the hands of his servants with great expectation of return, then it is incumbent upon us, to ensure that when one day we look back upon those entrusted into my care, that we will take great pride in what we have accomplished. That through our care, these “talents” will have increased exponentially in their knowledge, their compassion for others, their integrity, and ultimately their awareness and recognition that one day they too may be called and challenged to return many fold, the gifts and talents entrusted to the them.

Micky Dominick – Campus Minister
La Salle College High School – Wyndmoor, PA

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.